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Nicky & Graham play the Plaza Northcote in “Stars & Garters” May 1954. (photo Nicky & Graham live on air at Radio 3UZ)

Source - The Sun News-Pictorial (Melbourne, Vic) Wed 19 May 1954 - Page 19.

Nicky & Graham’s popularity as radio personalities was such that they had created a Vaudeville act and would perform regularly on stage at the Plaza theatre Northcote to packed houses.

1954 - Alf Klimek had package a show around Nicky & Graham he titled “Stars & Garters” - Here is a review from 1954 -

Quote: A L MACK’S new production Is rowdy, lively and funny for those who are not to inhibited about their humor. In this gathering (Headed by Nicky & Graham) of singers, comedians, acrobats, yodellers, shapely girls and dancers,

BIO - Clifford Nicholls “Nicky” Whitta (24 September 1903 – 8 September 1956) was a popular Australian radio personality. He originally broadcast as Nicky Nicholls. He is also credited with being a mentor to Graham Kennedy during his early career.

The popularity of Nicky Whitta at the time of his death was such that it prompted a large spontaneous tribute by his fans, when thousands of Melburnians unexpectedly lined the city streets after his funeral to watch the procession travel the 12-mile journey from the church to the crematorium.

When Whitta arrived at 3UZ, Graham Kennedy was working in the record library at the station. Kennedy already had some limited off-air radio experience after working as a copy boy at 3LO and as a turntable operator at 3AW.

Upon his arrival at the station, Whitta was accompanied by Alf “Alfie Boy” Thesinger who was already working as Whitta’s panel operator and on-air partner.

Thesinger’s radio career came to a halt unexpectedly when he was conscripted following the introduction of National Service, providing Kennedy with the opportunity of being Whitta’s new on-air partner.

Nicky Whitta and Graham Kennedy would form one of radio’s most popular partnerships, with their chemistry and unique humour captivating Melbourne radio listeners. Kennedy attributed their chemistry to sharing a similar sense of humour and their mutual dislike of orthodox radio presentation methods.

Although Whitta was known to keep a book full of jokes, gags and humorous anecdotes, Kennedy claimed he stopped using it after the first few months of the announcers working together, resulting in the humour becoming more improvised.

Whitta and Kennedy were famous for parodying the advertisements that they were expected to read during their program, which Kennedy insisted they did to “liven up” the ads. But while most sponsors would be willing to go along with their businesses and products being subject to the pair’s humour, Kennedy claimed the Commonwealth Bank had complained about their style, and the two announcers were ordered to deliver their commercials in a normal manner.

Another issue Whitta and Kennedy made fun of regarding the advertisements was when they ran behind the set schedule. Kennedy said that on one occasion, to make a joke out of it, he and Whitta read two live advertisements simultaneously, while talking over several pre-recorded commercials.

On another occasion, Whitta and Kennedy played a joke on their listeners by bringing in a portable radio into the studio, tuning it to 3XY and playing it through the microphones, essentially broadcasting the rival station over the 3UZ airwaves, confusing listeners.

According to Kennedy, Whitta would even leave the studio windows open to allow for more comedy to be found from everyday situations such as when a dog would be heard barking, which Whitta named “Corsets” (because it would be tied up during the day, but let loose at night) - Wikipedia

Contributed by Greg Lynch -